Jersey’s newly appointed Medical Director has been swapping hospital wards for humanitarian work – traveling to Vietnam to perform dozens of life-changing surgeries on patients who would otherwise go without.
Orthopaedic surgeon Simon West recently returned from his latest mission with Operation Walk Ireland, a voluntary project that saw 88 medical professionals complete 58 hip and knee replacements for locals in Hanoi.
Describing the experience as “incredibly rewarding”, Mr West, who has been taking part in missions since 2018, said the impact on patients is profound: “For many, this surgery is the difference between a life of pain and mobility.”
Now back in Jersey, the consultant surgeon and health leader is reflecting on the intense but fulfilling work – and why he keeps going back…
Mr West travelled to Vietnam in October 2024 to perform hip and knee surgery for locals as part of a voluntary project.
Despite operating on 57 patients, the team actually completed 58 surgeries – “one patient had both their knees replaced,” Mr West explained.
Over the past decade, Mr West has completed four missions to Hanoi, Vietnam.
“After you’ve done one mission, you’re kind of hooked!” he said.
Missions are referred to as “chapters” and involve a team of surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and support staff.
The missions are entirely funded by participants, which includes preparing and gathering the resources and materials needed to perform the surgeries.
This also includes taking all necessary staff and equipment to Hanoi, with the implants usually donated by an orthopaedic company.
The latest mission began by triaging 75 patients identified by Vietnamese surgeons, who were reviewed and narrowed down to 57 patients who were suitable for surgery.
This initial process includes reviewing the potential candidates for surgery.
“Some patients are more complex than others, every patient is reviewed, and the decision is made as to whether or not they are suitable for surgery medically fit,” said Mr West.
“We want to know that we can actually deliver the surgery that would be beneficial to them with the implants that we have available because we use standard hip and knee replacements, we have no fancy kit and no fancy equipment.”
Throughout the week, the medical team aims to perform as many operations as possible within the time frame – and it’s hard work.
“We’ll do four operations (a day), sometimes even five.”
The intense surgical schedule is followed by a patient “parade” and gala dinner on the Friday evening which is organised by the host city.
The patient “parade” includes all the volunteers lining up and the surgical patients and staff giving speeches as a way to give thanks to the volunteers for donating their time and expertise.
One benefit of the ongoing arrangement has been the flourishing relationships with patients and the wider Hanoi population over the years.
But the benefits of the missions aren’t only felt by the patients.
Mr West described them as “enlightening” and providing a sense of “worth and purpose”.
He said he has “always tried to undertake some form of charity work” throughout his professional career that puts his skills to good use.
Taking part in such charitable work, he said, has brought enormous personal and professional fulfilment over the years – and it’s something he’d encourage other members of the medical community to get involved in.
While he noted that “it’s probably not for everybody”, he did manage to persuade his wife – a former orthopaedic nurse – to join him on the most recent mission.
Back in Jersey, he is now focused on his new role – at the end of January, the medical professional of three decades was confirmed as the new Medical Director for the renamed health department, Health and Care Jersey.
He replaces consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Patrick Armstrong MBE, who stepped down to focus full-time on clinical duties.
Mr West, who qualified as a doctor from Cardiff University in 1991 and has been a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for 20 year, described the appointment as a “great honour”.
He is stepping up at a time of immense change in the department, following several critical reports and a new plan to create an “all-encompassing, unified, Jersey Health System” involving the third sector which will be “separated from, but connected to government” – with its own CEO and individual budget.
“As the previous Deputy, I have had the opportunity to understand the challenges we face in Jersey over the last 18 months,” he added.
In his new role, he hopes to continue making progress, stating: “My immediate objectives are to continue the work to improve services for our patients and our staff.”
He also added that in his role he will continue “working closely with Executive colleagues and the Ministerial team to ensure high quality and safe care for the people of Jersey.”